To celebrate the much anticipated visit, local businesses will be open from 12 noon offering customers mulled wine, hot chocolate and plenty of discounts, not to mention vouchers for a Christmas draw with loads of surprises on offer. Carol singers will add to the festive spirit and the Christmas lights will shine brightly throughout the day.

The annual Abbeyfeale Christmas Extravaganza will see Santa arrive with Mrs Claus at 2pm, after which he will meet children in the Square. They will then proceed to the elves workshop at Shatki on Main Street where each child who visits will receive a gift, hot chocolate and a family photo. Admission is €15 per child, with parents free.

Then at 7pm the local adult choir, under the direction of Dee Dennison, will join choirs from Colaiste Ide and Iosef, St Mary's Boys School, Scoil Mhathair De and choirs from Doon, Limerick Singing Priests and musicians to present a feast of Christmas carols in the Church of the Assumption.

Tickets for this event are €5 per household and are on sale throughout the town and Pat Buckley's, Devon Road. Proceeds from the service will go to youth services in Abbeyfeale.